What does a customs broker do?

What is a Customs Broker?

A customs broker is someone who clears shipments of imported or exported goods. They are responsible for ensuring that the items meet all the regulations, laws, packing, and other requirements that are mandated by law. In addition, they must be certain that all taxes, fees, documentation, and other needs have been fulfilled. They are the gatekeepers of local, national, and international commerce. This is a massive responsibility that has severe repercussions if not done correctly.

What does a Customs Broker do?

The ability to import and export goods is how countries around the globe maintain their economies and provide their citizens with the things they need. Without these global markets, people would be isolated, and their lives would be less comfortable.

Regulating what comes in and out is the responsibility of a country's legislative structure. Assuring that only what is allowed comes in and out of a country is the job of the customs department. A customs broker works with these departments to ensure their client is not breaking any rules.

Clients and governments hire customs brokers to keep abreast of all the latest rules and regulations, taxes, and documentation needed to bring items into or out of a country. This information varies wildly from place to place, making it exceedingly difficult for a business to keep up with everything, so the business hires a broker to do it for them.

Customs brokers are responsible for obtaining and filling out all the paperwork needed to present to government agencies for a shipment of goods. They are expected to know what papers are needed and to prepare them correctly to prevent any delays. They are the middleman between the importer or exporter and the government. They calculate and ensure duties and tariffs are paid. They obtain and make insurance claims, track cargo, and interact with customs officials.

Customs brokers also strategize with clients on what markets are lucrative and which ones are not. With their understanding of tariffs and regulations, they are able to help companies explore new markets. Companies expect customs brokers to have positive relationships with government officials and keep updated on all the latest laws and regulations. The company is then able to trade without worrying about being penalized for breaking laws.

What is the workplace of a Customs Broker like?

The workplace is going to vary significantly from place to place, country to country. Customs brokers can expect to spend a lot of time going from their office to customs houses, to shipyards and other places where cargo enters the country. They will need to be able to work using a variety of mobile electronics such as tablets, smartphones, and other devices. They will spend a lot of time in their cars going between appointments with clients, meeting with customs officials, and greeting shipments via rail, air, and ship.